Search

In this study, we report the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of a Chinese pygmy dormouse Typhlomys cinereus (Rodentia: Platacanthomyidae). The 15,011 bp genome is consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 16S rRNA, 21 tRNAs, partial 12S rRNA and control region. A phylogenetic tree was built using 12 protein-coding genes of 19 species from Dipodoidea and Muroidea. Our result shows that T. cinereus represents the earliest split within Muroidea. The genome would contribute to further study of phylogeny in Muroidea and Rodentia.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Perny's long-nosed squirrel (Dremomys pernyi) was firstly sequenced and characterized. The genome was 16,573 bp in length, and its composition and arrangement of genes were analogous to other rodents. The sequences of 13 protein-coding genes were used to construct phylogenetic tree for D. pernyi and other 13 sciurid species available on GenBank. To date, this is the first species whose complete mitochondrial genome sequence was sequenced in genus Dremomys. Our results will provide information for further molecular studies.

We performed H2O and D2O double-contrast neutron reflectivity measurements on ∼25 nm thick Nafion thin films on hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbon in water and 80% relative humidity vapor to investigate the depth profile of the water and Nafion distribution. We found a dense Nafion layer at the air or water interface regardless of the carbon hydrophilicity. On the other hand, a water-rich Nafion dense layer was observed at the carbon interface only for hydrophilic carbon. The double-contrast measurements provided quantitative information about the depth profile but simultaneously indicated that the sum of the volume occupancies of water and Nafion in the film was less than unity. We assessed the problem based on two possibilities: voids in the film or "residual water", which cannot be exchanged or is difficult to exchange with water outside.

Intracranial teratoma is a rare disease that frequently occurs in children and young adults. It comprises of approximately 0.1% of the brain tumors. We report a case of a large mature teratoma in the third ventricle with Holmes tremor. A 5-year-old boy presented with tremors 2 years ago. CT showed a 56×48 mm tumor in the third ventricle and hydrocephalus. The tumor was well demarcated from the surrounding brain tissue and contained calcification. MRI indicated a partially high-intensity signal on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. The preoperative diagnosis was teratoma. Initially, the tumor was biopsied using neuroendoscopy and the Ommaya reservoir was set. The pathological results showed fat-like tissues and fibroblasts. Subsequently, the tumor was completely removed using the interhemispheric transcallosal transchoroidal approach. The tumor included fat and hair tissues. It also included calcification similar to that observed in a tooth. It was strongly adhered near the pineal gland. Pathologically, the diagnosis was a mature teratoma. Postoperatively, the tremor disappeared and the patient was discharged from the hospital without neurological deficits. We believe that compression of the Guillain-Mollaret triangle was relieved by removal of the tumor. Hence, the tremor disappeared after the operation.

Growth processes of colloidal crystalline arrays in a fluidic glass cell were observed in situ by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the growth direction varied with the growth rate. At an extremely low growth rate, the array grew toward the 〈112〉 direction of the face-centered-cubic lattice. At a moderate growth rate, it grew toward the 〈110〉 direction. However, an extremely high growth rate induced random arrays of the spheres. Moreover, we were able to visualize the generation and/or annihilation processes of several kinds of defects. The variation of the growth direction with the growth rate is discussed in terms of the difference in water-flow resistance in the crystalline arrays.

We discuss the formation of perpendicular cylinders from polystyrene-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS), which were used to fabricate silica (SiO2) pillar arrays with an aspect ratio of 5. The solvent used in spin-coating solutions to form the initial films played an important role to lead the final morphology of the cylinders after solvent annealing. Tetrahydrofuran, a selective solvent for the major PS block, trapped PDMS spheres in isolation, opening a route to form highly aligned perpendicular cylinders after an induction period. Meanwhile, cyclohexane, a non-selective solvent, connected PDMS domains to some extent and provided a different route through which moderate regularity was achieved with gradual improvement. The transient morphological changes of the cylinders were precisely investigated using grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The alignment of the final morphology of the cylinders was validated by reflectance and optical ellipsometry measurements. Oxygen plasma was used to completely remove organic substances and convert PDMS to SiO2, providing a platform suitable for various applications. As an example, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platform was obtained by depositing gold on a perpendicular silica array. This platform exhibited substantial SERS enhancement using Rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule. Identical enhancements were observed throughout the platform, which was attributed to its uniform nanostructures.

Karyotypes of four Chinese species of field mice of the genus Apodemus were examined, including Apodemus chevrieri (diploid chromosome number, 2n=48, fundamental number of autosomal arms, FNa=56), A. draco (2n=48, FNa=48), A. ilex (2n=48, FNa=48), and A. latronum (2n=48, FNa=48). Karyotypes of A. chevrieri, A. draco, and A. ilex are reported here for the first time, providing useful information for their species taxonomy. Determining the karyotypes of all species of Apodemus in Asia, both in this and previous studies, provides a solid overview of the chromosome evolution and species differentiation of the genus in East Asia. In addition to allopatric speciation, chromosome rearrangements likely played an important role in the formation of the four Apodemus species groups as well as speciation within each group in East Asia. For example, increased centromeric heterochromatin in A. latronum may have contributed to the post-mating reproductive isolation from the A. draco-A. ilex-A. semotus clade.

Nocistatin (NST) is a neuropeptide produced from the same precursor protein of opioid peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ, and it is involved in a broad range of central functions including pain transmission in the nervous system. However, the composition and structure of the receptor(s) for NST remain unclear. Here, we developed NST photoaffinity probe to identify NST receptor. The NST photoaffinity probe contains an azide moiety for the tagging of the binding protein as well as biotin for protein detection. Intrathecal administration of a NST photoaffinity probe, biotin-(AC5)2-[Y6,azF14]bNST, inhibited the nociceptin/orphanin FQ-evoked tactile pain allodynia in a manner similar to that of NST. The biotin-(AC5)2-[Y6,azF14]bNST-binding proteins were primarily localized in the gray matter of the spinal cord. After photo-crosslinking of the protein complex with biotin-(AC5)2-[Y6,azF14]bNST, two dominant binding protein bands were observed at 58 and 64 kDa. Thus, biotin-(AC5)2-[Y6,azF14]bNST has pharmacological activity and is useful for characterizing the NST receptor.

Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to follow the valence band and near Fermi edge electronic band structure in the quasi-1D compound NaV 2 O 4 . In this current study we have acquired the very first high-quality, high-resolution ARPES data from this material. Our data clearly reveal two distinct dispersive bands that cross the Fermi level at different k F . This is a clear signature that the electronic properties of this material is affected by the presence of a mixed valence state on the different vanadium chains and possibly also the low-temperature magnetic spin order.

Karyotypes of four Chinese species of field mice of the genus Apodemus were examined, including Apodemus chevrieri (diploid chromosome number, 2n=48, fundamental number of autosomal arms, FNa=56), A. draco (2n=48, FNa=48), A. ilex (2n=48, FNa=48), and A. latronum (2n=48, FNa=48). Karyotypes of A. chevrieri, A. draco, and A. ilex are reported here for the first time, providing useful information for their species taxonomy. Determining the karyotypes of all species of Apodemus in Asia, both in this and previous studies, provides a solid overview of the chromosome evolution and species differentiation of the genus in East Asia. In addition to allopatric speciation, chromosome rearrangements likely played an important role in the formation of the four Apodemus species groups as well as speciation within each group in East Asia. For example, increased centromeric heterochromatin in A. latronum may have contributed to the post-mating reproductive isolation from the A. draco-A. ilex-A. semotus clade.

Organic-inorganic layered hybrids (OILHs) were synthesized by the copolymerization of organo alkoxysilane and metal salt. Nanoparticles were observed in the resulting OILHs using atomic force microscopy, while the inner structure was a speculative model based on X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption measurements. As the characterization using transmission electron microscopy did not result in clear images because of possible radiation damage, small-angle X-ray scattering and small-angle neutron scattering were measured for the dispersions of two types of OILHs containing Ti or Al. After the spectra were fitted using a flat cylinder model, it was determined that the OILHs have a core-shell structure of a clay sheet surrounded by organic layers. The difference in the dimensions of the core-shell structure for the Ti-containing OILH and the Al-containing OILH was quantitatively demonstrated.

Racemic α-amino acid standards for chiral metabolomics were prepared from l-α-amino acids using a hydrophobic pyridoxal derivative, namely 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-((octyloxy)methyl)isonicotinaldehyde (OPy), as the racemization catalyst. Among the 19 tested proteinogenic amino acids, 13 (including the generally unstable asparagine, glutamine, and tryptophan) underwent efficient racemization/epimerization under mildly basic conditions at room temperature, while solid-phase extraction allowed for effective and simple catalyst removal and amino acid recovery, obviating the need for chromatographic separation and recrystallization. Isotopically labeled racemic amino acids are commonly employed as internal standards for highly accurate mass spectrometric analysis. However, as isotopically labeled d-amino acids are often unavailable or highly expensive, the developed method was used to prepare racemic labeled amino acids, which were shown to enhance the repeatability and accuracy of d,l-amino acid quantitation in human urine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Given that our method should also be applicable to non-proteinogenic α-amino acids and the N-termini of peptides, the present study is expected to accelerate the development of LC-MS-based chiral metabolomics.

Cracks in the catalyst layers of fuel cells have an adverse effect on their mechanical durability. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the mechanism of cracking in the catalyst layer to be able to take appropriate countermeasures. A reduction in the cracks in the catalyst layer by the addition of a high boiling point solvent (propylene glycol (PG)) to the catalyst ink is examined. The relationship between the change in solvent composition and the change in dispersion of platinum-supported carbon (Pt/C) particles during the catalyst ink drying process is investigated to experimentally clarify the cause of the formation of cracks in the catalyst layer. The change in the solvent composition during the ink drying process is examined by 1H NMR. Macroscopic changes such as cracks in the catalyst layers are examined using laser microscopy. Ultra-small angle X-ray scattering measurements are performed to analyze the dispersion of Pt/C particles on the order of several hundred nanometers. The analysis of these measurements indicates that a good dispersion solvent for Pt/C particles, such as PG, remains until the end of the drying process, so that Pt/C particle agglomeration is suppressed during the drying process and crack formation in the catalyst layer is inhibited.

Introduction Elongated styloid process syndrome represents a group of symptoms, such as recurrent throat pain and neck pain, caused by elongation of the styloid process. We report a case of elongated styloid process syndrome with prolongation of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. Case presentation A 50-year-old man was referred to our clinic with the chief complaint of discomfort on the right side of his neck. He had no history of any disease. Extraoral findings indicated pain during neck rotation. Computed tomography showed prolongation of the styloid process beyond the mandibular plane and close to the hyoid. Moreover, prolongation of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage was detected. The discomfort during rotation of the neck was due to the stimulation by the styloid process. Styloid resection was performed using the extraoral approach under general anesthesia. Conclusion Discomfort in the neck was resolved after operation., Highlights • Elongated styloid process syndrome represents a group of symptoms. • Morphological anomalies or deviations of the thyroid cartilage may cause swallowing discomfort. • Oral and extraoral methods are used as surgical techniques for styloid hyperplasia. • There have been no reports of styloid process prolongation with hypertrophic thyroid cartilage. • There are few reports concerning the prolongation of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from the silkworm Bombyx mori were identified and GSL expression patterns between larvae and pupae were compared. The structural analysis of neutral GSLs from dried pupae revealed the following predominant species: Glcβ1Cer, Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GlcNAcβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GalNAcα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GlcNAcβ3Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, Galα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer and (GalNAcα4)1-4 GalNAcα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer. Lin-ear elongation of α4-GalNAc was observed at the non-reducing end of Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer with up to five GalNAc repeats. The arthro-series GSL GlcNAcβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, a characteristic GSL-glycan sequence of other Arthropoda, was detected in silkworms. The main ceramide species in each purified GSL fraction were h20:0-d14:1 and h22:0-d14:1. GSL expression patterns in larvae and pupae were compared using thin-layer chromatography, which demonstrated differences among acidic, polar and neutral GSL fractions, while the zwitterionic fraction showed no difference. Neutral GSLs such as ceramides di-, tri- and tetrasaccharides in larvae showed less abundant than those in pupae. MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed that larval GSLs contained four types of ceramide species, whereas pupal GSLs contained only two types. The structural analysis of neutral GSLs from silkworms revealed a novel series of GSLs. The comparison of GSL expression patterns between larvae and pupae demonstrated differences in several fractions. Alterations in GSL ceramide composition between larvae and pupae were observed by MALDI-TOF MS analysis.

For the majority of Rhinolophus species a karyotype consisting of either 58 or 62 chromosomes was reported. The members of the R. trifoliatus clade are therefore distinguished from other rhinolophids by low diploid chromosome numbers (2n) and a high rate of chromosomal changes. Recently, based on cytogenetic characters, a cryptic species, R. luctoides, was described and a subspecies, R. luctusmorio, was elevated to species rank. In the present work, the karyotypes of a male bat from Vietnam and a female one from China, both classified as R. luctus by morphological characters, were studied by G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization with whole chromosome painting probes derived from Aselliscus stoliczkanus. In the male specimen from Vietnam, the composition of the 15 autosomal bi-armed pairs (2n = 32, FN = 60) is identical to that of R. luctoides from Malaysia. For reason of differences in body size and baculum length as well as in skull morphology, this specimen is provisionally treated as R. cf. ...

Karyotypes of Dremomys pernyi from Kanding, Sichuan Province, China and D. pyrrhomerus from Nanling, Guangdong Province, China were examined. The karyotype of D. pernyi was of 2n = 40 and FNa = 72, while that of D. pyrrhomerus was of 2n = 38 and FNa = 70. Karyotype of D. pernyi from Kanding was different in 2n and FNa from reported karyotype of conspecific population from Taiwan, and it is suggested that the Taiwan population represents a distinct species D. owstoni from D. pernyi. The difference between karyotypes of D. pernyi and D. pyrrhomerus may involve at least a Robertsonian rearrangement and a heterochromatin addition.

Amino acids and their related metabolites play important roles in various physiological processes and have consequently become biomarkers for diseases. However, accurate quantification methods have only been established for major compounds, such as amino acids and a limited number of target metabolites. We previously reported a highly sensitive high-throughput method for the simultaneous quantification of amines using 3-aminopyridyl- N -succinimidyl carbamate as a derivatization reagent combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Herein, we report the successful development of a practical and accurate LC-MS/MS method to analyze low concentrations of 40 physiological amines in 19 min. Thirty-five of these amines showed good linearity, limits of quantification, accuracy, precision, and recovery characteristics in plasma, with scheduled selected reaction monitoring acquisitions. Plasma samples from 10 healthy volunteers were evaluated using our newly developed method. The results revealed that 27 amines were detected in one of the samples, and that 24 of these compounds could be quantified. Notably, this new method successfully quantified metabolites with high accuracy across three orders of magnitude, with lowest and highest averaged concentrations of 31.7 nM (for spermine) and 18.3 μM (for α-aminobutyric acid), respectively.

The Japanese archipelago is comprised of four main islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—which contain high mountainous areas that likely allowed for lineage differentiation and population genetic structuring during the climatic changes of the late Pleistocene. Here, we assess the historical background of the evolutionary dynamics of herbivorous red-backed voles (Myodes) in Japan, examining the evolutionary trends of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (Cytb) sequence variation. Four apparent signals from rapid expansion events were detected in three species, M. rufocanus and M. rutilus from Hokkaido and M. smithii from central Honshu. Taken together with results from previous studies on Japanese wood mice (Apodemus spp.), three of the expansion events were considered to be associated with predicted bottleneck events at the marine isotope stage (MIS) 4 period, in which glaciers are thought to have expanded extensively, especially at higher elevations. In the late Pleistocene, the possible candidates are transitions MIS 6/5, MIS 4/3, and MIS 2/1, which can be characterized by the cold periods of the penultimate glacial maximum, MIS 4, and the last glacial maximum, respectively. Our data further reveal the genetic footprints of repeated range expansion and contraction in the northern and southern lineages of the vole species currently found in central Honshu, namely M. andersoni and M. smithii, in response to climatic oscillation during the late Pleistocene. The time-dependent evolutionary rates of the mitochondrial Cytb presented here would provide a possible way for assessing population dynamics of cricetid rodents responding to the late Pleistocene environmental fluctuation.

The Taiwanese gray shrew (Crocidura tanakae) and Asian gray shrew (C. attenuata) are so similar in size and morphology that the taxonomic status of the former has changed several times since its description;C. tanakaehas also been regarded as an endemic species of Taiwan Island. In recent years, molecular identification has led to several reports ofC. tanakaebeing distributed in the mainland of China. In this study, we determine the geographical distribution ofC. attenuataandC. tanakaebased on more than one hundred specimens collected during 2000 to 2018 over a wide area covering the traditional ranges of the two species in the mainland of China, and show a substantial revision of their distributions. Among 110 individuals, 33C. attenuataand 77C. tanakaewere identified byCytbgene and morphologies. Our results show, (1)C. attenuataandC. tanakaeare distributed sympatrically in the mainland of China; (2) contrary to the previous reports, the distribution range ofC. attenuatais restricted and much smaller than that ofC. tanakaein the mainland of China; (3) Hainan Island, like Taiwan Island, is inhabited byC. tanakaeonly according to the present data.

We report the first operando measurement of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation at an electrode using in situ neutron reflectometry. The results revealed the growth of the SEI and intercalation of ions during the charge reaction. Furthermore, we propose a way of evaluating the charge used for the SEI formation.

Fluid dynamic bearings, which have an advantage in high-accuracy revolutions, are employed for spindle motors of hard disk drive, cooling fans for central processing unit, spindles of machine tool, etc. Micro herring-bone grooves are manufactured on cylindrical surface of the shafts in the bearing units, and they generate dynamic pressure during spins. Although the depth of the herring-bone grooves is generally constant, the shafts of which groove depth decreases from the ends of the groove array to its center improve the performance of bearing. The micro grooves are mainly manufactured by chemical etching, electrochemical machining, cutting and form rolling. However, the chemical etching and the electrochemical machining are difficult to control 3D machining profiles with high accuracy. The cutting and the form rolling have problems in tool lives and manufacturing costs. On the other hand, blasting is expected as one of micro fabrication methods. Therefore, we focused on blasting, and have investigated its material removal capabilities by fundamental tests. The purpose of this study is to control machining profiles in cylindrical blasting. The machining profiles of cylindrical workpieces in blasting were simulated based on the material removal capabilities obtained by the fundamental blasting tests. Then, the simulated profiles agreed well with the experimental ones by blasting under the same experimental condition.

The subfamily Murininae has high species diversity in Vietnam, but taxonomic studies are limited. In this paper, we describe a new species of the genus Murina based on a specimen collected from Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is a medium-sized species with ‘suilla-type’ dentition. A taxonomic review of Murininae from Vietnam was also conducted based on combined morphological, DNA, and karyological characteristics. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI) gene supported the subfamily Murininae, while the genus Murina proved to be paraphyletic in relation to the genera Harpiocephalus and Harpiola. Fourteen species of the genus Murina, one species of Harpiocephalus, and one species of Harpiola are recognized from Vietnam. Murina tiensa is regarded as a junior synonym of M. harrisoni; strong sexual dimorphism was observed in M. harrisoni. Relations between forearm length and total length of skull showed dif...

Human zoonotic onchocercosis is caused by Onchocerca dewittei japonica, parasitic in wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) in Japan. Previously, microfilariae longer than those of Onchocerca dewittei japonica were observed in skin snips from wild boars during the study of O. dewittei japonica. Moreover, the third-stage larvae (L3) of these longer microfilariae were obtained from the blackfly Simulium bidentatum after experimental injections. Based on morphometric and molecular studies, similar L3 were found in blackflies during fieldwork in Oita, Japan. However, except for O. dewittei japonica, adult worms of Onchocerca have not been found in wild boars. In this study, we discovered adult females of a novel Onchocerca species in the skin of a wild boar in Oita, and named it Onchocerca takaokai n. sp. Females of this new species had longer microfilariae and differed from O. dewittei japonica in terms of their morphological characteristics and parasitic location. The molecular characteristics of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 12S rRNA genes of the new species were identical to those of the longer microfilariae and L3 previously detected, but they differed from those of O. dewittei japonica at the species level. However, both species indicated a close affinity among their congeners and Onchocerca ramachandrini, parasitic in the warthog in Africa, was basal in the Suidae cluster of the 12S rRNA tree.

The enhancement mechanism on the heat transfer coefficient of SiO2 nanofluid compared to the ethylene glycol/water solvent was investigated by means of synchrotron x–ray radiographic imaging at 300.15 K. The experimental results showed a low concentration of local particles near the wall in the channel cross–section. This anomalous particle distribution alters the flow velocity distribution. Based on the law of conservation of momentum, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer becomes thin in the nanofluid, consequently enhancing the convective heat transfer. The thickness of the thermal boundary layer in the nanofluid based on the particle distribution visualized from x–ray imaging depends on the particle diameter, and its dependency is consistent with the magnitude relation of the heat transfer coefficient.

The performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells depends on the nanostructure of the polymer composites in their components. The microporous layer within the cells, which generally comprises a composite of carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is a key component that prevents mass-transport losses in electrochemical reactions of the cells; therefore, we studied the distribution of PTFE within microporous layers using contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering. By performing annealing above the PTFE melting point, its self-aggregations were reduced, and this effect was explained via the surface energies of PTFE and carbon black. Moreover, fuel cell performance testing demonstrated that better mass-transport properties were achieved when there were fewer PTFE self-aggregations within the microporous layers. Our findings suggest that an optimal PTFE distribution within fuel cell microporous layers can be achieved by engineering the surface energies of carbon black.

Long-eared bats of the genus Plecotus are known to occur predominantly in the Palaearctic Region, and at the margins of the Afrotropical and Indomalayan regions. In 2014, four specimens of the genus Plecotus were collected in a high altitude montane temperate forest in the Hoang Lien National Park, northern Vietnam, representing the first record of Plecotus from the Indochinese subregion, and considerably extending the southern border of the genus' distribution range. Detailed morphological comparisons and phylogenetic reconstructions based on the mitochondrial control region suggest that these specimens can be assigned to P. homochrous, a mountain-dwelling bat from the Himalayas. Moreover, for the first time, we provide information on the species' echolocation call and karyological characteristics. Our results also indicate that the taxonomic status of some Plecotus species recognized by previous studies is doubtful and must be revised. Although rarely encountered, Plecotus is likely to be widely distributed at the higher elevations of the Himalayan chain in southern China and the adjoining northern areas of Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. Our findings strongly support the importance of the mountainous areas within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

INTRODUCTION Cystosis is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. Especially in developing countries, it is one of the differential diagnosis of diseases that cause seizures. We report a case of a foreigner suspected of having neurocysticercosis. CASE A 36-year-old Nepalese visiting Japan for 2 years. Two days ago, she lost consciousness for a few seconds and was transferred to our hospital complaint of convulsions for about 1 minute. Head Computed Tomography (CT) revealed a mass lesion with a ring enhancement effect of about 10 mm in the right frontal lobe, with edema around it. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) shows T1WI low signal, T2WI high signal, and diffusion-weighted image with a light high signal. The ring-shaped enhancement effect was exhibited. Whole body CT showed no obvious lesions and blood tumor markers were negative. Various infections were negative, and cerebrospinal fluid cytology and culture were negative. POSTOPERATIVE COURSE From the surgical findings, brain abscesses such as cerebral tuberculoma were suspected, but various tests were negative. As a pathological result, the tumor had a capsule, and the inside showed necrotic tissue and fibrous granulation tissue reaction. There were no insects, and no obvious cells were identified by special staining. From the origin area, symptoms, and pathological findings, neurocysticercosis was most suspected. CONCLUSION We experienced a case of suspected neurocysticercosis that was difficult to diagnose from images and pathological findings. In neurocysticercosis, when the worm body dies, contrast-enhanced MRI shows a ring-like enhancement effect, and it is accompanied by surrounding edema, which may require differentiation from brain tumors.

Background The filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti (Cobbold, 1877), Brugia malayi (Brug, 1927) and B. timori Partono, Purnomo, Dennis, Atmosoedjono, Oemijati & Cross, 1977 cause lymphatic diseases in humans in the tropics, while B. pahangi (Buckley & Edeson, 1956) infects carnivores and causes zoonotic diseases in humans in Malaysia. Wuchereria bancrofti, W. kalimantani Palmieri, Pulnomo, Dennis & Marwoto, 1980 and six out of ten Brugia spp. have been described from Australia, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and India. However, the origin and evolution of the species in the Wuchereria-Brugia clade remain unclear. While investigating the diversity of filarial parasites in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed species in the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia). Methods We examined 81 common treeshrews from 14 areas in nine states and the Federal Territory of Peninsular Malaysia for filarial parasites. Once any filariae that were found had been isolated, we examined their morphological characteristics and determined the partial sequences of their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 12S rRNA genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region were then cloned into the pGEM-T vector, and the recombinant plasmids were used as templates for sequencing. Results Malayfilaria sofiani Uni, Mat Udin & Takaoka, n. g., n. sp. is described based on the morphological characteristics of adults and microfilariae found in common treeshrews from Jeram Pasu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The Kimura 2-parameter distance between the cox1 gene sequences of the new species and W. bancrofti was 11.8%. Based on the three gene sequences, the new species forms a monophyletic clade with W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. The adult parasites were found in tissues surrounding the lymph nodes of the neck of common treeshrews. Conclusions The newly described species appears most closely related to Wuchereria spp. and Brugia spp., but differs from these in several morphological characteristics. Molecular analyses based on the cox1 and 12S rRNA genes and the ITS1 region indicated that this species differs from both W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. at the genus level. We thus propose a new genus, Malayfilaria, along with the new species M. sofiani. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2105-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In order to elucidate the dependence of the magnetic ground state on the Ca content (x) in Sr1-xCaxCo2P2 (0 ≤x ≤1, ThCr2Si2-type structure), we have performed muon spin rotation− and relaxation (μ+SR) experiments on Sr1-xCax Co2P2 powder samples mainly in a zero applied field. The end member compound, SrCo2P2, is found to be paramagnetic down to 19 mK. As x increases, such a paramagnetic ground state is observed down to 1.8K until x = 0.45. Then, as x increases further, a short-range antiferromagnetic (AF) ordered phase appears at low temperatures for 0.48 ≤ x ≤ 0.75, and finally, a long-range AF ordered phase is stabilized for x > 0.75. The internal magnetic field of the other end member compound, CaCo2P2, is well consistent with that of the A-type AF order state, which was proposed from neutron scattering experiments. The phase diagram determined with μ+SR is different from that proposed by macroscopic measurements. For an isostructural compound, LaCo2P2, static magnetic order is found to be formed below

The magnetic nature of a novel one-dimensional compound NaCr 2 O 4 with zigzag CrO 2 chains has been studied by muon spin rotation and relaxation ( μ +SR) and neutron diffraction (ND). It is found that NaCr 2 O 4 undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at T N = 125 K, below which the Cr moments in each zigzag chain align ferromagnetically along the c -axis but antiferromagnetically along the a -axis between adjacent zigzag chains. For the solid solution system Ca 1-x Na x Cr 2 O 4 , μ + SR measurements reveal the evolution of a complex magnetic order with increasing Ca content (1- x ), which finally enters into an incommensurate AF ordered state below T N = 21 for CaCr 2 O 4 .

β-detected NMR (β-NMR) has been used to study the molecular-scale dynamics of lithium ions in thin films of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) containing either lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) or lithium trifluoroacetate (LiTFA) salts at monomer-to-salt ratios (EO/Li) of 8.3. The results are compared with previous β-NMR measurements on pure PEO and PEO with lithium triflate (LiOTf) at the same loading [McKenzie et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 7833 (2014)]. Activated hopping of 8Li+ was observed in all of the films above ∼250 K, with the hopping parameters strongly correlated with the ionicity of the lithium salt rather than the polymer glass transition temperature. The pre-exponential factor increases exponentially with ionicity, while the activation energy for hopping increases approximately linearly, going from 6.3±0.2 kJ mol-1 in PEO:LiTFA to 17.8±0.2 kJ mol-1 in PEO:LiTFSI. The more rapid increase in the pre-exponential factor outweighs the effect of the larger activation energy and results in 8Li+ hopping being fastest in PEO followed by PEO:LiTFSI, PEO:LiOTf, and PEO:LiTFA.

Magnetization reversal process in Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnets was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) using a non-polarized neutron beam. The magnetic-field dependence of the SANS intensities was obtained for as-deformed and Pr-Cu infiltrated Nd-Fe-B magnets. The SANS intensity variation with the magnetic field is suppressed in Pr-Cu infiltrated sample as compared with that in as-deformed sample. The isolation of Nd2Fe14B grains along the [001]-axis direction was found to be caused by the infiltration of the Pr-Cu eutectic alloy, resulting in coercive force enhancement. The results suggest that magnetic isolation of the grains is the key to developing magnets with high coercive force.

A diffusive behavior of Li+ ion in a garnet-type oxide, Li5 + xLa3ZrxNb2 − x012 with x = 0–2, has been investigated by both a positive muon-spin relaxation (μ+SR) and quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) technique using powder samples. The μ+SR results revealed that Li+ ions start to diffuse above ~ 150 K for the whole samples measured. The activation energy of Li diffusion (Ea) estimated from the μ+SR data was in good agreement with Ea obtained by the QENS measurements. However, both Eas were about a half of Ea of ionic conductivity of Li+ (σLi), which was evaluated by AC-impedance measurements on sintered pellets. This indicated the serious effect of grain boundary and/or surface on Ea. Furthermore, since the diffusion coefficient of Li+ estimated by μ+SR is roughly independent of x, the number of mobile Li+ in the garnet lattice was found to be the predominant parameter to determine σLi.

We report here efficient catalytic imine-imine cross-coupling reactions based on an umpolung strategy; an imine bearing a 9-fluorenyl moiety on its nitrogen atom, which acted as a nucleophile, reacted with another imine to afford an imine-imine cross-coupling adduct in high yield. Furthermore, a chiral guanidine acted as a chiral catalyst for these coupling reactions, and optically active 1,2-diamines were obtained in high yields with high enantioselectivities.

β-Detected nuclear spin relaxation of (8)Li(+) has been used to study the microscopic diffusion of lithium ions in thin films of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), where the implanted lithium ions are present in extremely low concentration, and PEO with 30 wt % LiCF3SO3 over a wide range of temperatures both above and below the glass transition temperature. Recent measurements by Do et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 2013, 111, 018301] found that the temperature dependence of the Li(+) conductivity was identical to that of the dielectric α relaxation and was well described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann relation, implying the α relaxation dominates the Li(+) transport process. In contrast, we find the hopping of Li(+) in both samples in the high temperature viscoelastic phase follows an Arrhenius law and depends significantly on the salt content. We propose that the hopping of Li(+) between cages involves motion of the polymer but that it is only for long-range diffusion where the α relaxation plays an important role.

Three distinct bamboo bat species (Tylonycteris) are known to inhabit tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, i.e., T. pachypus, T. robustula, and T. pygmaeus. This study performed karyotypic examinations of 4 specimens from southern Chinese T. p. fulvidus populations and one specimen from Thai T. p. fulvidus population, which detected distinct karyotypes (2n=30) compared with previous karyotypic descriptions of T. p. pachypus (2n=46) and T. robustula (2n=32) from Malaysia. This finding suggested a cryptic Tylonycteris species within T. pachypus complex in China and Thailand. Morphometric studies indicated the difficulty in distinguishing the cryptic species and T. p. pachypus from Indonesia apart from the external measurements, which might be the reason for their historical misidentification. Based on 623 bp mtDNA COI segments, a phylogeographic examination including T. pachypus individuals from China and nearby regions, i.e., Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, was conducted to examine the population genetic structure. Genealogical and phylogeographical results indicated that at least two diverged lineages existed in these regions (average 3.4 % of Kimura 2-parameter distances) and their population structure did not match the geographic pattern. These results suggested that at least two historical colonizations have occurred by the cryptic species. Furthermore, through integration of traditional and geometric morphological results, morphological differences on zygomatic arches, toothrows and bullae were detected between two lineages in China. Given the similarity of vegetation and climate of Guangdong and Guangxi regions, we suggested that such differences might be derived from their historical adaptation or distinct evolutionary history rather than the differences of habitats they occurred currently.